[Osteoid osteoma in the hand: an evaluation of eight patients]

We retrospectively evaluated patients with osteoid osteoma localized in the hand, which is a rare location for this lesion.

Eight patients (5 females, 3 males; mean age 23 years; range 13 to 31 years) underwent surgery for osteoid osteoma localized in the hand. Involvement was in the right hand in five patients, and in the left hand in three patients, being in the proximal phalanges in all the patients. The affected fingers were the fourth in five patients, and the first, second, and third in the remaining three patients, respectively. Five patients presented with pain responsive to salicylates. The mean duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 20 months (range 12 to 36 months) and the mean follow-up was 38 months (range 15 to 86 months).

Direct radiographs enabled the diagnosis in four patients. Computed tomography was utilized in four patients, two of whom required scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging. Computed tomography showed intraosseous involvement in three patients, but failed to demonstrate the nidus in one patient due to extreme sclerosis. The nidus was removed with excision and curettage in all the cases, combined with cancellous autografting in five patients. Five patients had complete recovery. One patient had stiffness of the adjacent joints, which responded well to rehabilitation. Plain x-rays showed a subcortical sclerotic zone in one patient who had persistent pain for a year postoperatively. Due to inadequate excision, recurrence occurred in one patient 18 months after surgery; revisional excision and bone grafting were performed, resulting in complete recovery.

Satisfactory results are obtained with excision, curettage, and bone grafting of osteoid osteomas located in the hand.